Mini music reviews

Lady SovereignJigsaw Pop (Midget/EMI) The female face of U.K. grime goes pop on her sophomore disc, singing as much as rapping and, in ”So Human,” jacking the groove from ”Close to Me” by the Cure. B- — Mikael Wood

The ThermalsNow We Can See Alt-Rock (Kill Rock Stars) This pop-punk band manages to make death sound chirpy on its fourth album. With perky melodies and singsong choruses, angst has rarely sounded so precious. B+ — Jeremy Medina

Junior BoysBegone Dull Care Electronic (Domino) A new album means more romantic whispers and languorous synth beats. Both ingredients are bountiful on the Canadian duo’s third full-length. A- — SVL

Bob MouldLife and Times Alt-Rock (Anti-) Mould addresses the years he spent playing a downward spiraler, gay-club cruiser, and spotlight needer, then gets back to his best role: just being Bob Mould. B — Melissa Maerz

The Felice BrothersYonder Is the Clock Rock (Team Love) The fourth album from these purveyors of Band-evoking Americana is as folksy and honed as a tale by Mark Twain, from whom the Felices borrowed the title. A- — CC